Iowa’s Welsh named to Rimington list

IOWA CITY – University of Iowa junior center Sean Welsh has been named to the 2016 Rimington Trophy Watch List. The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I college football.

Since redshirting as a freshman in 2013, Welsh (6-foot-3, 288 pounds) has competed in every game for the Hawkeyes (27 games), while notching 21 starts. The Springboro, Ohio, native is set to take care of snapping duties in 2016 after playing the majority of the last two seasons at left guard (19 starts). Welsh has also started at right guard and right tackle twice.

Iowa TE Kittle named to Mackey list

IOWA CITY – University of Iowa senior tight end George Kittle has been named to the 2016 John Mackey Award Watch List. The John Mackey Award is presented annually to college football’s most outstanding tight end.

A native of Norman, Oklahoma, Kittle played in all 14 games last season, notching six starts. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound tight end hauled in 20 receptions for 290 yards and led Iowa with six touchdown receptions in 2015, including the only touchdown of the game in Iowa’s 10-6 victory at Wisconsin. Kittle’s breakout season earned him honorable mention All-American status from SI.com.

King, Beathard on award lists

IOWA CITY – University of Iowa seniors Desmond King and C.J. Beathard were named to the 2016 Bednarik and Maxwell Trophy Watch lists, respectively.

King, 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, started all 14 games at cornerback a year ago, tying the Iowa single-season record and ranking second in the country with eight interceptions while recording 72 tackles and a team-high 13 pass breakups in 2015.

Beathard, 6-foot-2, 209 pounds, started all 14 games at quarterback last season, passing for 2,809 yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while rushing for 237 yards and six touchdowns.

ISU’s Mike Warren on Maxwell list

AMES – Iowa State sophomore running back Mike Warren has been named to the 2016 Maxwell Award watch list.

Warren led all NCAA freshmen in rushing in 2015 by gaining 1,339 yards, the third-best effort by a rookie in Big 12 history. He also broke ISU’s season record with a 5.9 yards per carry average.